Chapter Text
“Sir Kaeya?”
There’s a low buzzing in his ears. He can’t particularly hear much of anything, let alone the healer sitting at his bedside. He’s been in the cathedral for about a month now, slowly healing broken bones that not even visions could help fix. His own vision, still new, pulsates at the dresser to his side.
He’s cold. Very cold. Colder than normal, even. Is that because of his new abilities, or is it because…?
“They’ll be fine.” The healer reassures. “We’ve already done the necessary exams, they seem healthy. Your scuffle didn’t affect anything from what we can tell.”
Scuffle? She called that a scuffle? His alpha- no, no, his alpha disowned him. The fact that he feels absolutely nothing from the mark on his neck signifies that. Soon, it’ll fade away and leave and Kaeya will be left with nothing.
Nothing but…
Kaeya places his hand on top of his midsection. There’s nothing yet, not even a bump. How far along is he? When was his last heat? He can’t even remember, not with the ringing echoing in his skull.
What does he do? What can he do?
“Sister,” he speaks softly. “Can you go fetch Lady Jean?”
The beta nods. “Yes, of course. Just sit tight, I’ll be right back.”
As soon as the woman is out the door, Kaeya lets out a raggedy breath. His heart aches more than it ever did before. It weighs his chest down, making him feel a thousand pounds heavier. It’s the type of agony that’s indescribable, one that must be experienced personally for it to be understood.
“Fuck.” He whispers out loud. “What am I to do?”
The first of many bitter tears slides wetly down his cheek. He attempts to choke back a sob but in the end it only makes it worse. He’s so alone . And now he’s to raise a baby without the alpha around to help. How is he supposed to do this?
“Great job, Kaeya.” He tells himself in between heaving breaths. “You’ve gone and gotten not only yourself abandoned, but your unborn child as well. What a nuisance.”
By the time Jean arrives, his tears have dried up. Now the only thing he can do is stare blankly ahead.
“Kaeya,” The beta starts, her tone sympathetic. “Sister Marie just told me that-“
“I’m pregnant.” He blurts out. Her eyes soften.
“Yes, I know. She told me.” Jean comes to sit where Sister Marie was before. She takes Kaeya’s hand, the one that isn’t broken in four different places, and gives it a gentle squeeze.
“I don’t know what to do.” The omega says honestly. “Should I keep it?”
“That is your decision to make.” She begins to run soothing circles into his knuckles. “I’ll support every decision you make, though. I’m sure Varka will as well.”
“Ah. I suppose I’d need to tell him as well.” If he does keep it, then he’ll definitely need to go on maternity leave. He hopes there’s room for a pregnant omega in the barracks.
“Yes.” Jean agrees. “If you keep it. Forgive me for asking but, it’s…?”
Kaeya’s bottom lip trembles. “There’s been nobody else.”
“Oh, Kaeya.” He’s pulled into an embrace. Kaeya, desperate for any amount of comfort he can get, leans into her. She smells like honey and lavender, a soft scent that’s barely there thanks to her status as a beta. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Kaeya closes his eyes. “I deserve this.”
“Whatever it is that happened, you certainly don’t deserve to be left alone with a child.” She runs her fingers through his hair. The strands are oily and dirty, thanks to his current lack of hygiene. “There’s still time to tell him.”
“ No .” The omega twists his fingers into the blanket that lays heavily on top of him. “He’ll never know.”
Jean pulls away, bewildered. “And why is that?”
“The last thing I want is to force my unwanted presence in his life, child or no child.” Kaeya looks off to the window. It’s almost sundown. “If I keep it, will you ensure he doesn’t know?”
“I can’t just keep something like this a secret.” She frowns. “It’s not-“
“He kicked me out.” Archons, speaking out loud after all these weeks… “He abandoned me when I was supposed to be his mate . And, and I know it’s completely deserved. I’m not saying it isn’t. But I refuse to allow it to happen to my child, too. They’ll grow up somewhere warm, and welcoming, without an alpha that doesn’t want them there. So please, don’t tell Dil- Master Diluc.”
Jean is quiet for a moment. “So you’re keeping it, then?”
“I don’t know.” He lies. Yes, of course he’s keeping it. They’re his. Something that won’t leave him. Not for many years, at least, and when it does happen it’ll be on good terms. Like normal families. Where they may be physically distant, but they know that Kaeya loves them more than anything else.
“I see.” The beta looks at him, really looks, searching for something. “I suppose it’s not my place to tell Sir Diluc.”
The tension leaves his body. He feels like he can breath easier now. “Thank you, Lady Jean.”
“I hope this isn’t something you’ll regret.” Jean says. “If you need anything, just know that I will ensure you get it. You won’t have to do this alone, Kaeya.”
“Yes.” He nods. “Of course. Again, I thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. You’ve been my friend for a very long time, I would never leave you in your time of need.” Her unspoken words are heard loud and clear.
Unlike some people .
Kaeya offers her a bitter smile.
“For that, I am glad.”
-
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
He’s running so late.
Unfortunately, he’d been held up by the new recruits he’s training. They’re a bit dumb, as are all newcomers, so teaching them basic forms seems to have taken up much more time than he previously anticipated. Before he knew it, the sun was starting to dip below the horizon and Kaeya was struck with panic.
He rounds a corner, the Pegg residence coming into view. From a distance, he can see two figures in the front yard. As he gets closer, the smaller figure seems to take notice.
“Papa!” She yells excitedly. The little redhead begins to run towards him.
Kaeya greets her halfway, dropping down on his knees and opening his arms up wide. She crashes into him, squealing happily. Barbara seems to have done her hair up into pigtails, making the two match. She looks positively adorable.
“Hello, my starlight.” He plants a wet kiss on her cheek. “Did you have fun with Lady Barbara today?”
“Yes! Yes!” The toddler nods her head. “I learned new song. Wanna hear?”
He stands up, balancing the three year old on his hip. “You know I love your angelic voice.”
“Ophelia was lovely today.” Barbara informs him as she comes to stand next to the pair. “And she took her nap.”
Thank Barbatos. Ophelia without a nap is terrible. Last time she went without her nap, she threw a bowl of stew at the wall. White walls. There’s still a stain there and Kaeya isn’t sure how he’ll explain that to his landlord.
“Once again, I’m immensely thankful for you.” Kaeya informs her. “We must be headed off now, I still need to make dinner.”
And after she’s put to bed, he’ll have the little old lady that lives downstairs come stay in the living room while he goes through the taverns. His work day still isn’t done, after all. There’s information to be obtained.
“But of course! I’ll see her tomorrow.” She waves goodbye. “Farewell, little Opie.”
“Bye bye!” She waves back enthusiastically. “Bye! Bye! Byeee!”
Kaeya laughs and gives her another kiss. His daughter is awfully energetic, and talks more and more every day. She’d been like that as a baby, too. Babbling to herself even when nobody was talking to her. He’s glad she’s sociable, he’s not sure how he would’ve gone about everything if she’d been born shy.
“Papa’s sorry he was late today.” He apologizes. He’s decided to take the long way home today so that they can spend just a bit more time together before she’s off to bed. “It was a very busy day, you see.”
“It okay.” She pats the side of his cheek. “Opie play?”
“When we get home.” Kaeya promises. “You can play whilst I make dinner. How about that?”
“Chicken mushroom!” Ophelia demands. “Please? Pretty please?”
“I’m sorry, starlight. I haven’t had time to go get more mushrooms.” He fails to mention the fact that they had chicken-mushroom skewers three times in a row last week and that he won’t be eating it again for another month, at least.
“Aw.” She pouts. “Next time?”
“Yes.” Kaeya lies. “Next time.”
“Okay!” The redhead giggles. She leans up and plants a wet kiss underneath Kaeya’s chin.
What a slobbery little girl, he thinks with delight.
“Opie loves papa!” She announces.
“Papa loves Ophelia.” He returns. “More than anything else.”
They spend the rest of the walk home exchanging compliments. Ophelia is a lot like him in that regard, always using sugary sweet words even with her limited vocabulary. With her, at least, it’s all entirely genuine. She’s brutally honest in the way that only children can be.
The rest of the night proceeds as normal. He makes her dinner while she colors at the table. After dinner, Kaeya gives Ophelia her potion and tucks her into bed. Granny Wen meets him at the door and wishes him goodnight as he leaves.
He goes to Cat’s Tail first. Gathers a bit of information here and there before deciding he’s drained the place of everything valuable. This is also normal; Cat’s Tail hardly has any gossip and intel worth mentioning but it never hurts to try and seek it out.
Things take a turn when he makes his way to Angel’s Share. He fully expects Charles to be manning the bar, as he always is, so he doesn’t pay attention as he slips into the tavern. It’s experiencing a rush currently, the building packed full of patrons. Kaeya decides to order a drink when it slows down, so he won’t overwhelm poor Charles.
He eyes an interesting looking table in the corner of the car and slides into an empty spot. Two knights and what is definitely a treasure hoarder in disguise. They all greet him amicably.
“Hello gentlemen.” He sings songs. “How goes life?”
“Sir Kaeya,” one of the Knights inclines his head. He’s under Eula, a bright eyed omega who smells like wolfhook berries. “Very good. How about yourself?”
“Busy.” He laughs. “I’m sure you can relate.”
“Most definitely.” The other Knight, one of Hertha’s, nods. “I can’t imagine how you manage, with a small child and everything.”
“A small child?” The treasure hoarder asks. “Goodness, It must be difficult balancing work and that all by yourself.”
What work do you have besides stealing, Kaeya wants to ask. Kaeya gives him an easy smile.
“The life of a single parent is never easy.” He waves his hand flippantly. Talking about Ophelia in public with strangers tends to make him uncomfortable, especially in regards to people he’s trying to gather information from. ”Now, I-“
A glass drops. Kaeya instinctively tenses up at the loud noise. It’s close, probably no more than a table over. He looks to his left, and…
It feels like all the air has been ripped from his lungs rather abruptly.
“Diluc?!” He blurts out.
Standing there, staring dead at him with a look of pure rage , is Diluc Ragnvindr. He’s trembling. When did he get back? Why didn’t his informants ever tell him? Better yet, why is he looking like he still wants to run a claymore through him?!
“How long have you been back?” He asks slowly, vaguely fearing for his life.
“A day.” Diluc grits out.
Beside him, the Knights are whispering amongst themselves.
“I see.” They’re locked in a staring contest. Kaeya thinks that, even after all this time, Diluc still looks lovely. He wants to reach out and comb his hands through that mane of his.
He doesn’t, of course. Instead, he stands up.
“I think I won’t be drinking tonight.” He tells the table. “Farewell. Another time, perhaps.”
He’s making a very prompt retreat. Kaeyas gotta get out of here, he can’t stay. The building suddenly feels four times too small, and each and every person crammed into the space feels like they’re twice his size. Diluc is back. Diluc is back and he hates Kaeya and he’s still angry, even after all these years.
Panic threatens to choke him as he tries to politely shove past the bodies blocking the way to the door. He wants- he needs - his daughter. Ophelia. He must see her in order to calm these nerves down. That adorable giggle of hers never fails to calm him down when emotions threaten to overwhelm him.
He almost fails to stop himself from taking a deep lungful of air as soon as he’s out the door. He’s got an image to uphold, and if anyone sees him even crumble even a little bit he’ll never live it down.
A day , Kaeya thinks to himself. A whole day, Diluc has been back and nobody thought this information was worth telling? At least if he’s known, Kaeya could have a warning. But to be brought before Diluc without an inkling of his presence…he’s just glad he’s got the best scent protectors money can buy.
Of course, he’s not so distraught he can’t sense being followed. And that the person is rapidly approaching him. Kaeya swirls around, barely containing the innate desire to bear his teeth threateningly. Instead, he smiles tight lipped.
Diluc. As he feared.
“Master Diluc.” He greets casually. “I’m afraid there’s no tab left, I didn’t order anything tonight. Why else would you have followed me, after all?”
“ Kaeya .” Diluc stalks towards him. “Surely I misunderstood those men. Surely, you didn’t say you’re a single parent .”
“Your ears are perfectly functional.” Kaeya informs him. His heart is beating so heavily, he can feel it thump against his chest. “It isn’t any of your concern, I’m afraid.”
“You-“
“Harassing an omega about his child is hardly appropriate, Master Diluc. Did all those etiquette classes teach you nothing?” Kaeya narrows his eyes. “Especially one you’ve had nothing to do with for nearly half a decade. We are but strangers. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must be getting home.”
“Who?” Diluc asks. His face has switched from fury to a carefully crafted neutral. It seems Kaeya’s scathing words knocked a bit of sense into him, because he’s stepped back to what’s considered a socially acceptable distance between alpha and omega.
“Excuse me?” Kaeya raises an eyebrow.
“Who is the sire?” He elaborates.
His blood runs cold. He remembers the last time he saw Diluc. He remembers the feeling of rain, the coldness of his vision, the gaping sensation in his chest. His daughter was there, the size of a bean inside of his womb. They didn’t know it, but she was there and Diluc almost killed her alongside him.
Kaeya- Kaeya deserves it. He’d been born amongst sin, after all, and was tasked with betraying his newfound home. Diluc had every right to want to kill him.
But their daughter? Innocent, bright eyed Ophelia? If he’d died, then she’d never have been born. And isn’t that a horrible thought?
Diluc would never willingly harm a child. He’s too good, too pure-
And yet.
And yet Kaeya is scared. Because Diluc would never hurt his blood, but Kaeya isn’t off the table. What if Diluc takes her away from him? Kaeya wouldn’t survive it. He’d deem him an unworthy parent, whisking Ophelia away to the winery because they both know it’s a place Kaeya can never return to.
It would be crueler than cutting him down with his claymore.
“Yet another inappropriate question.” Kaeya clicks his tongue. “Four years, with no words spoken, and the very first thing you want to know is who sired my baby? Have some couth.”
Diluc scowls. “Is it someone I know?”
“I’m not answering that.” Kaeya turns on his heel swiftly. He walks away, venom dripping from his voice as he speaks his next words. “Seriously, Master Diluc. This is none of your business. Do me a favor and pretend you don’t know about her existence at all. It works well enough when you do it for me, does it not?”
Eyes burn into his back as he continues forward. But Diluc doesn’t run after him this time.
It’s better like this anyways, Kaeya tells himself. They can go about their lives peacefully, separately, and Kaeya can keep Ophelia selfishly to himself. He refuses to have her wrenched away from him. Diluc can take everything he has, and every ounce of his sanity along with it, but he will not take his daughter from him.
He’s not above running, if he has to.
-
It goes like this, following Diluc’s return;
He goes to Angel’s Share. Diluc is at the bar half of the time now. Sometimes, he’ll make Kaeya’s order correctly. Other times, he’ll slide him a glass of grape juice or non-alcoholic versions of what he’d previously requested.
They do not talk about Ophelia. They don’t talk about anything, outside of bitter taunts and thinly veiled threats. Most of the time, Diluc doesn’t even bother responding to Kaeya.
This is fine. This is how it should be.
He’s learned to live with the fact that his bright eyed alpha, the one who’d wake him up with kisses and wouldn’t sleep unless Kaeya was pressed close to him, is long gone. In his wake is a monotonous, uncaring man who barely tolerates Kaeya’s presence most of the time.
It is a cycle that’s been unbroken for three months. This acid between them, building and building.
It is a similar night as it has been for the past ninety days. Kaeya sits at the bar before going off to pester the other patrons and orders a glass of wine. Sometimes he spices it up and orders Death After Noon, but tonight he’s craving something simpler.
Kaeya sighs when he takes a sip of his drink and it’s white grape juice. Kaeya hates grape juice, and he particularly hates white grape juice.
“You know,” he starts. “What kind of establishment are you running here?”
Diluc ignores him. He continues to make another patron’s glass. Correctly, as opposed to his. Irritation settles deeper. Not only had his work day been dreadful, but poor little Ophelia had been crankier than normal when he went to get her. She’d screamed bloody murder when it was time to put her down for bed and nearly refused to take her potion.
Maybe , a stressed out single father wants to unwind a little bit. Maybe , it would be fantastic if the bartender would give him his glass of fucking wine.
“An awful one.” Kaeya mumbles. “One misses Charles at moments like these.”
“Then come when Charles is here.” Diluc responds calmly.
“I do.” Kaeya pushes the grape juice away. “Fine, fine. This one can take a hint.”
Perhaps Cat’s Tail will be more entertaining. It’s not like there’s anyone worth mentioning here tonight, anyways. Nobody he can squeeze things out of.
Kaeya pushes himself out of the barstool. The door to the tavern opens, and Kaeya brushes it off until he sees that it’s Granny Wen. She looks terribly stressed, and behind her…
“Papa!” Ophelia cries out, breaking free from Granny Wen’s hold.
“Ophelia!” The woman says, scolding. “I told you not to come in. Taverns are no place for a little girl.”
“Starlight, what’s the matter?” Kaeya stares down at his little girl, who’s wrapped her arms around Kaeya’s legs. She’s sobbing miserably, her wet face leaving stains on his riding pants.
She doesn’t stay like this for long, he swoops her up in his arms and cradles her to his chest comfortingly.
“I’m sorry, Sir Kaeya.” The old alpha bows her head. “She wouldn’t stop crying for you.”
“It’s quite alright.” Kaeya gives her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry she disturbed you.”
“Children will be children.” She gives him a smile. “Let’s get her out of this bar, yes? She’ll calm down now that you’re near.”
It’s then that Kaeya remembers where exactly they are. He chances a glance towards Diluc, who’s staring at Ophelia with a blank expression. What’s he thinking? Does he recognize her features? How could he not, when she and Diluc share so many?
“Juice?” Ophelia sniffles, looking at the glass Kaeya was about to leave behind.
“Ah.” Kaeya looks back towards Diluc.
They stare at each other for a moment.
“ Juice .” She grabs Kaeya’s lock of hair and tugs on it mercilessly.
“Okay, okay.” He’s thankful Diluc actually gave him grape juice this time around. Despite his hatred for it, of course.
The omega shuffles closer to the bar, reaching out to grab the discarded drink. Unfortunately, Ophelia’s gaze drifts from the cup she wanted to the man standing behind the bar. Diluc is looking at her, too.
“Hi!” She waves. All those tears from earlier are gone, replaced by her sunny smile. “Hello! Hi!”
Kaeya tenses.
Is Diluc going to treat her coldly? Kaeya certainly can’t be blamed if he does show teeth, in that case. It’d be horribly petty if Diluc to punish a child for Kaeya’s wrongdoings.
“Hi.” Diluc responds softly.
“I am Opie!” She tells Diluc.
“Opie?” Diluc questions. He meets Kaeya’s gaze, and instead of the usual bitterness and resentment there’s open curiosity.
Diluc…wants to know more about Ophelia. Something threatens to break within his chest.
“Starlight, remember to use your full name when meeting new people.” He reminds the child gently.
“Oh. I am Ophelia!”
“Ophelia…” Diluc’s eyes glaze over for a moment. What could that possibly mean? Kaeya doesn’t know how to read the alpha anymore. “…I’m Diluc.”
“Diluc!” She repeats, as she does with every new name she learns. “Diluuuuc!”
“Here, drink your juice so we can go. Granny Wen, thank you so much for your help tonight. I’m going straight home, so no need to wait up on me.” Kaeya addresses the woman as he presses the cup into Ophelia’s hands.
There’s only a sixty percent chance she’ll throw it.
“Of course. It’s my pleasure to watch her.” Granny Wen says.
Thankfully, Ophelia doesn’t chuck the glass onto the floor. Instead, she takes big sips. Her face does something curious, and she pulls the cup away to stare down into it.
The toddler hums. “What is it?”
“Grape juice.” Diluc tells her before Kaeya can get to it. “Do you like it?”
She nods her head enthusiastically. “Never had it before! Is good!”
And then Diluc smiles at her. All soft edges, and for a second Kaeya is seventeen, hand held tightly in Diluc’s as he watches the redhead laugh at some stupid joke. His heart seizes painfully within his chest, threatening to choke him.
“I think it’s good too.” Diluc informs her. “Do you want to try the other kind?”
Kaeya frowns. “ Master Diluc-“
“There’s more ?” The stars in Ophelia’s eyes shine even brighter.
Diluc nods. “That’s white grape juice. There’s purple, too.”
“Please!”
Kaeya blinks slowly. Well, looks like he’s not getting a choice in the matter. He tentatively sits down in the stool he previously occupied, carefully arranging Ophelia so that she's seated in his lap. The child sets the glass back down on the table precariously, sloshing liquid everywhere.
A second later, Diluc sets another glass in front of her. This one is in a beer mug, and there’s a straw in it so that she can drink easier. She snatches it up gleefully, taking a few large sips.
“Well?” Diluc asks while she’s loudly smacking her lips. “Do you like that one, too?”
“Yes!” She giggles.
“And what do we say when people do nice things for us?” Kaeya nudeges his daughter gently.
“Thank you!”
“Thank you…?” He prompts.
“Thank you, Luc!” She beams.
They both freeze.
“My love, that’s not-“ Kaeya starts.
“You’re welcome, Ophelia.” Diluc looks away from the father daughter pair, staring off somewhere else for a moment.
“Papa want?” She tries to hold the cup up to his mouth but only succeeds in jabbing his chin with the straw.
“Papa doesn’t like grape juice.” He informs his child, lightly pushing her offering away. “Papa appreciates it, though.”
Ophelia gasps, offended. “But papa! Is good!”
“To some.” Some who don’t appreciate finer things and have the taste buds of a literal child, that is.
This answer is not acceptable to her. “Luc, tell papa is good.”
He’s shocked when the alpha indulges her. The redhead looks him in the eyes, expression as gentle as it’d been seconds ago, and says,
“Grape juice is good, Kaeya.”
Kaeya flushes.
“Yes, well.” He sticks his nose in the air haughtily. “Kaeya wants his grape juice. I think I ordered it earlier, but your unruly bartender messed my order up”
This time, when Diluc sets a flute in front of him, it’s actually wine.
No information was gathered that night. In fact, Kaeya sits at the bar until Diluc closes. He only has one drink, but Ophelia gorges herself on grape juice until she promptly passes out in Kaeya’s arms. Even then, they stay.
“She’s beautiful.” Diluc says at some point after Ophelia falls asleep.
“Isn’t she?” Kaeya smiles affectionately, running his hands through her curly hair. It’s long since been undone from the braid he twists it in when he puts her to bed.
“Yes.” Diluc nods his head. “She looks so much like you, Kaeya.”
“She does?” Kaeya can’t help the laughter that leaves his lips.
Ophelia has his pupils, and his eyebrows, and his skin, and they have the same nose slope. He spent hours staring at her when she was just a baby, trying to find glimpses of both him and Diluc in her little face. As an infant, she didn’t particularly look like anyone.
She’d been a wrinkly little thing. Chubby, too. She’s still a little chubby even now. Kaeya isn’t concerned with it. Diluc was a bigger kid, and now he’s grown into quite the man. And even if she’s meant to be chubby her entire life, Kaeya will still think Ophelia is the prettiest girl to ever walk the earth.
But past all of that, she’s Diluc’s spitting image. From her eye shape to the curve of her jaw to the wildness of her hair to the splash of barely visible freckles that litter her skin. It’s a wonder nobody else seems to realize that Ophelia is a Ragnvindr; her very existence screams it. It’s a blessing, really. Makes things so much easier for her to just be Ophelia Alberich.
“Yes.” He can’t seem to stop looking at Ophelia’s sleeping form, even between cleaning and mixing drinks. “What made you pick the name Ophelia?”
Kaeya battles the choice to either lie or be honest. There’s no reason to lie, really.
“My mother…her name was Opheleia.” Kaeya’s mother passed while birthing him. He doesn’t know anything about her, really, other than what her name once was.
She died giving life to him, and so he’s chosen to honor her in the life he’s brought into this world. Diluc doesn’t know this, of course, but her middle name is Florence. That was Diluc’s mother’s middle name, Kaeya’s subtle way of honoring her memory as well.
“You’ve never talked about your mother before.” Diluc observes.
“There was nothing to talk about. I have no memories or knowledge of her. But…it’s nice to be remembered, don’t you think?” He starts working a nasty tangle gently, being careful not to wake Ophelia up.
Diluc’s lips quirk up. “That’s awfully sentimental.”
“I am a sentimental person.” Kaeya sniffs. “By the way, you’ll pay for getting my child addicted to grape juice. Now she’ll expect me to buy it every time I get groceries.”
Diluc shakes his head. Yet his expression…it seems that Diluc is happy tonight. The tension that usually makes his frame so stiff has all but melted away, leaving a glimpse from the past in its wake. Kaeya never realized how much older Diluc looked until now.
Just like Ophelia is the spitting image of Diluc, Diluc is the spitting image of Crepus.
“My sincerest apologies.” He doesn’t sound very sincere at all. “Grape juice is good for children. Helps the immune system.”
Kaeya rolls his eyes. “Unfortunately, she’ll be drinking it until she’s sick. Once she finds something she likes, she’ll have it until she physically can’t anymore.”
He’s pleased when Diluc huffs out a small laugh. “Were you not the same way? You gorged yourself on Adelinde’s apple tarts for months.”
Ah. They’re mentioning the past. But Diluc is still relaxed. Try as he might, Kaeya can’t find any maliciousness in his words. This is undoubtedly a new boundary being crossed. Kaeya assumed up until now that the past should never be brought up, no matter how innocent the memory is.
“You’d get so mad when I asked for them.” Kaeya grins.
“Because I’d end up eating them too. And I was so tired of them.” He pauses for a moment, debating his next words. “Do you think Ophelia would like them?”
“Adelinde’s apple tarts?” Kaeya glances down at his sleeping baby.
Adelinde visited him at the cathedral after she was born. She cried, and held Ophelia while Kaeya napped. After that, Adelinde made sure to venture to the city every year for Ophelia’s birthday. Seeing her is…difficult, though.
Aside from his father, who abandoned him, if Kaeya were to think of a genuine paternal figure it would be her. She taught him to read, to speak Mond properly. She’d shown him how to brush his hair, how to properly bathe. It was her who kissed his injuries when he fell down, her who tucked him into bed at night.
Essentially, it was her who showed him how to be a good parent. Losing her was just as hard as being abandoned by Diluc.
“Ophelia loves her cakes.” He muses. “But she’s never had her tarts. I think she’d quite like them. Then again, there’s hardly anything this one won’t eat.”
“Then I will bring her some.” Diluc promises.
“Ah,” he laughs nervously. “No need to go out of your way or anything.”
“I insist.” Diluc says. “It’s the least I could do.”
Kaeya sighs. “Very well. But now she’ll be pestering me for grape juice and apple tarts.”
Neither say anything else until the bar closes. It’s a comfortable silence, one that makes Kaeya’s soul feel lighter than it has in nearly half a decade.